Block puzzle



A. F. DREYER Dec. 7, 1965 BLOCK PUZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 11,962

FIE--3- INVENTOR.

ALLEN F. DREYER A TTOR NE Y5 FIE- FIE-.8-

Dec. 7, 1965 A. F. DREYER 3,222,072

BLOCK PUZZLE Filed June 11. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UL INVENTOR.

ALLEN E DREYER ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,222,072 BLOCK PUZZLEAllen F. Dreyer, Richmond, Caiifi, assignor to Universal Research,Berkeley, Calif, a partnership Filed June 11, 1962, Ser. No. 201,393 12Claims. (Cl. 273157) The present invention relates to improvements in ablock puzzle and more particularly to a puzzle in which the player isrequired to achieve a given position for the solution thereof.

Certain puzzles are known in which the player is required to position aplurality of parts or pieces together to provide a solution thereto andsuch puzzles have provided a considerable amount of entertainment. Thesepuzzles include jig-saw puzzles in which pieces are fit together toprovide a given solution, and puzzles in which wires or nails are bentinto a fixed configuration and various units must be put together toprovide the solution thereto.

The present invention relates to a somewhat different type of puzzle,which nevertheless provides entertainment through manipulation by theoperator or player until a single given solution is achieved. However,the parts of the present puzzle are held together by an elastic memberor equivalent structure so as to provide a composite unit and the puzzleis solved by changing the position of these parts of the composite unituntil the solution position is obtained.

Thus the puzzle of the present invention has the advantage of being aunitary structure in which the component parts are held together and arenot likely to get lost, yet the puzzle provides amusement as great as orbetter than the heretofore known manipulative puzzles, and of entirelydifiierent character.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention toprovide a block puzzle in which the puzzle is in the form of a compositeunit that may be manipulated by the player from any of various positionsor shapes into a single composite shape representing the solution to thepuzzle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a puzzle which may beplayed by a single individual or by individuals in competition, andwhich may be played in any location so as to provide amusement duringperiods which require waiting or otherwise would be lost to the player.

A further object of this invention is to provide a puzzle in the form ofa single unit which does not come apart and which contains durable partsthat provide a long and useful life.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a puzzle in which aplurality of swivel actions are provided so that the puzzle may bemanipulated by rotating any one part of the puzzle with respect to anyother part of the puzzle so as to provide a considerable amount of playand provide a challenge to the player in arriving at the propersolution.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a puzzleutilizing 27 small cubes of substantially the same size which are heldtogether by a single elastic strand in such a way that the cubes arerotatable around the strand into a number of different shapes and yetwhich may be positioned to provide a composite cube.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent asthe specification proceeds, and the new and useful features of myinvention will be fully defined in the claims hereto attached. Thepreferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing forming parts of this description, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of this invention asit appears when the puzzle is in solved position and illustrating how acolor design may be used to assist the puzzle solver;

FIGURE 2, a view of the puzzle shown in FIGURE 1 when the puzzle isstretched out and in a position preparatory to being solved by theplayer;

FIGURE 3, a view of a puzzle similar to that shown in FIGURE 2 exceptthat it contains a different solving pattern and does not contain thecolor configuration that provides a design in the final solution;

FIGURE 4, an expanded view of the puzzle shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 as itappears expanded from the solved position shown in FIGURE 1 in order toillustrate the manner in which the parts are held together:

FIGURE 5, a view similar to that shown in FIGURE 4 except that itillustrates the embodiment of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6, a cross-sectional View of an intermediate cubical block of thepuzzles shown in FIGURES 1 through 5 illustrating the preferred mannerof attachment where the adjacent pieces are to be held against oppositefaces of the cubical puzzle piece;

FIGURE 7, a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIGURE 6except that it illustrates a preferred form of holding adjacent piecesto adjacent faces of a puzzle piece;

FIGURE 8, a view illustrating one form of terminal puzzle piece that maybe used in this invention; and

FIGURE 9, a cross-sectional view of an alternate form of terminal puzzlepiece.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should beunderstood that various changes or modifications may be made within thescope of the claims hereto attached, without departing from the spiritof the invention.

In its broad aspect, the puzzle of this invention comprises a pluralityof blocks and means for rotatably holding a face of each block to a faceof an adjacent block at the centers of said faces. The puzzle isobtained primarily by rotational movement of the blocks relative to eachother with rotational movement of any given block resulting inrotational movement of all blocks attached thereto. In this way theblocks may be moved through a three dimensional configuration to providea novel and amusing form of play. Preferably, the blocks are allcongruent with each other and in the shape of a regular polyhedron. Inthis way, all of the faces of the various blocks are of a matching sizeand shape. This adds to the confusion of various movements and positionsso that the player must be alert to avoid repeating similar patternsthat do not lead to the correct solution.

The desired solved shape should be an easily recognizable shape which isthree dimensional, that is, a form which contains more than one block ineach of the three dimensions. Conveniently, a solved block may be aregular polyhedron such as a cube or an icosahedron. When a cubical formis used for the solution, the blocks should also be cubical and thenumber of blocks will depend upon the size cube desired or on thedifficulty of puzzle desired. Thus the cube could be made up from thecube of a whole number from say 2 to 5. This provides a total number ofblocks of 8, 27, 64 or 125. However, it is found that the 27 block cubeprovides the most desirable degree of dilficulty. When an icosahedron isused for the final solution, 20 regular tetrahedrons would be requiredto arrive at this final solution, however they would not provide theperfect match obtained by the cubical structures.

Although various shapes are embraced in the spirit of this invention,the preferred cubical form is illustrated in the drawings and will serveto teach the broad forms of the invention as well as to illustrate thepreferred form in detail. For example, in the preferred form, wholeblocks are held together to form a composite unit with the face of eachblock held against the face of each adjacent block by an elastic member,but it should be appreciated that other means may be used to provide thesame function as this elastic member. Thus a plurality of independentholding means, each extending from the center of the face of one blockto the center of a face of another block designed to hold the blocksrotatably together, could be used. However, it is desirable that suchmembers be somewhat elastic and to be sufiiciently permanently attachedthat the unit tends to be kept intact.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIGURE 1 acomposite unit in the form of a single cube 31 which comprises 27individual cubical blocks 32, nine of. which are red, nine being white,and nine being blue. As shown in FIGURE 2, blocks 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16,19, 23 and 25 are red; blocks 2,14, 7, 10, 13, 18, 20, 22 and 26 arewhite; and blocks 3, 6, 8, 11, 15,17, 21, 24 and 27 are blue.

In one form of the puzzle, the blocks are arranged on an elasticstring-like member 33, which extends between H terminal blocks 1 and 27and passes through intermediate blocks 2 through 26. As shown in thedrawing, the clastic member extends through openings in the centers ofthe faces of the respective cub-es. Specifically, it extends through oneface of each of the terminal blocks 1 and 27, and through two faces ofthe remainder of the blocks 2 through 26. In the embodiment illustratedin FIG- URE 2, the elastic member extends through opposite faces ofcubes 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 17 and 20 and extends through adjacent faces ofcubes 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 21 through 26.

With the configuration shown in FIGURE 2, it is necessary for the playerto rotate adjacent faces of the blocks about the elastic element as anaxis until the position shown in the expanded view of FIGURE 4 isachieved. Although FIGURE 4 shows an expanded view, it should beunderstood that the elastic member is not sufiiciently stretchable toarrive at the position shown, but instead holds the blocks fairly closetogether with only a slight stretch being possible so that groups ofblocks can be folded inwardly on rotation of the group as a whole aboutthe face of one of the blocks.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, a player will usually begin at one endand proceed as follows in order to solve the puzzle problem. Rotationshould be effected either between blocks 3 and 4 or between blocks 4 and5 so as to bring blocks 1, 2, and 3 around 180 with respect to blocks 5,6 and 7 so that blocks 1 through 7 lie in a common plane and in U-shapedfashion as shown in the solution in FIGURE 4. Then blocks 7 and 8 arerotated with respect to blocks 1 through 5 by rotating them 90 from theposition shown in FIGURE 2 either between faces 5 and 6 or faces 6 and 7so as to provide another layer. After this move, rotation is efiectedbetween blocks 7 and 8 so as to bring blocks 8, 9 and 10 against blocks5, 6 and 7 and make adjacent tiers. Blocks 11, 12 and 13 are kept in adifferent plane from blocks 8, 9 and 10 but are rotated so as to providethe relative position shown in FIGURE 4 with blocks 11, 12 and 13 alsoproviding an edge of the cube. In similar fashion, rotation is effectedbetween blocks 13 and 14 and other positions until blocks 14 through 27are positioned as shown in the solution in FIGURE 4, and a finalcomposite cube is obtained.

From the above description, it is seen how the blocks are moved relativeto each other simply by rotation along the elastic as an axis betweenvarious of the faces and that a considerable permutation ofpossibilities can be obtained with only one actual solution beingpossible. Accordingly, it is necessary for the player to visualizecertain spatial relationships and understand certain necessary factorssuch as the requirement for blocks 5, 6 and 7 which are in groups ofthree to lie within the final cube being made. In other words, anyselection of a position for these three blocks which WQ lkl i Outside ofthe proposed cube could not possibly lead to the right solution and hasto be avoided.

Other hints may be provided if desired by the color design such as thatshown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4. As there shown, the colors red, white andblue provide a symmetrical design with each row containing exactly onered, one white and one blue block. However, even with this hint, theblock is not easily solved and provides many hours of amusement.Continued play is also provided because even though a player has solvedthe puzzle once, he will generally not be able to remember the movesmade to arrive at the solution, and will find continued enjoyment insolving the puzzle over and over again.

In FIGURES 3 and 5, there is shown another puzzle in which a slightlydifferent solution is provided. In other words, the blocks are puttogether in a slightly different configuration from that shown in FIGURE2, nevertheless the assembly is formed to provide a composite cube whenthe blocks are rotated to the relative positions illustrated in FIGURE5.

Thus in FIGURE 3 there is shown a puzzle composed of a series of cubicalblocks 32 all of the same size, shape and color. The puzzle comprisestwo terminal blocks a and an, an elastic string-like element 33terminating therein, and intermediate blocks b through 2 having theelastic element 33 extend through each block and extend through twofaces of each block either from adjacent or from opposite faces, asshown in FIGURES 3 and 5. However, as here shown, only blocks I1, and vhave the elastic element extend through opposite faces while theremainder of intermediate blocks have the elastic element extend throughadjacent faces. This provides a fairly difiicult puzzle, yet one whichmay still be solved by the player.

As explained above, puzzles could be similarly constructed from more orless blocks, but when the cubical form is utilized, it is found thateight blocks will usually provide a puzzle too simple for any playersexcept small children, while puzzles containing 64 or blocks wouldprovide such a difiicult puzzle that only the most persevering playerswould want to attempt to solve it. Accordingly, it has been found that27 blocks are the most suitable for both children and adult players.

Other variations are possible, for example, the solution could be aparallelepiped rather than a cube as shown and still be made up ofcubical pieces. In this way, a puzzle comprising 36 pieces whichcontains rows of three, three and four blocks could be used as well asother forms. Similarly, the blocks might be of different shapes, but itis preferred to use regular polyhedrons such as regular tetrahedrons orcubes in order to provide blocks having similar faces all around.

The material from which the blocks and elastic element are constructedmay vary widely and many materials are suitable. For example, the blocksmay be made from ordinary wood or any other suitable constructionmaterial that may be easily fabricated and is preferably durable and oflow cost. The elastic element is preferably a string-like element withonly a slight amount of stretch to it, so that the player will not pullthe puzzle too far out of shape while solving it. In other Words, theelastic should normally hold all of the block faces together withsufiicient play being provided so that groups of blocks may be slightlytwisted as the block group is rotated so as to get around an obstructionduring the rotational movement. However, in the final form, the elasticshould hold the puzzle compositely as shown in FIGURE 1.

Thus, anysuitable string-like elastic element having these propertiesmay be used, and many elastic strands are available on the market. It isalso preferred to use a strand which is sufiiciently strong that it maynot be 'broken by-hand and thereby prevent any inadvertent breakage ofthe toy during use.

When wooden blocks are used, holes are drilled through the blocks so asto provide intermediate blocks as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. For example,when the elastic string-like member 33 is to extend through the centersof opposite faces of the cubical blocks, a hole may simply be drilledthrough the block as shown in FIGURE 6. However, when the elasticelement is to extend from the centers of adjacent faces, the holes aredrilled through from the centers of said faces either to the center (notshown), or a diagonal or curved path may be drilled into the block asshown in 'FIGURE 7. Obviously, other ways of achieving this desiredresult may be utilized and any method of fabrication is embraced by thepresent invention. Preferably, the string-like element extends throughthe face of the block at the surface thereof in a direction normal tothe surface to provide freer rotation.

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate two methods of anchoring the elastic elementinto terminal blocks such as blocks 1 and 27 or blocks a and an. Thus,as shown in FIGURE 8, block 27 is drilled into the center at 36, and theend of elastic element 33 is anchored therein by means of knot 34. Thedrilled hole 36 may then be left open or closed by any suitable means,if desired. Alternatively, the block could be fabricated as shown inFIGURE 9. As there shown, a block 27 has a hole 36a drilled therein, andthe elastic member 33 is knotted against a plug 37 with the plug beingwedged and/ or glued into the hole 36a.

Although FIGURES 8 and '9 are shown to illustrate certain possiblemethods, it should be understood that many other methods of anchoringthe elastic string-like element in the terminal members may be used. Itshould also be understood that other means may be used for holding theadjacent blocks in position for relative rotation which might beequivalent to elastic string-like element 33 in function. Accordingly,it should be understood that the invention is to the limited only by thespirit and scope of the claims attached hereto.

Another material which is suitable for fabricating the puzzle of thisinvention is any one of the plastic materials. When plastic materialsare used, they may be formed as solid blocks and fabricated as explainedabove Where wooden blocks are used, or may be made hollow and fabricatedby other means. For example, when the blocks are hollow, the elasticstring-like member 33 is threaded through the intermediate member as isdone with solid blocks, but may be tied to an inner surface of a wall ofa terminal block with the remainder of the walls then glued thereto.Other methods of fabrication will be apparent to those skilled in theart when considered in the light of the examples given.

Where plastic blocks are used, it is also possible to use transparentblocks and to provide the string-like element as a prominently coloredmaterial so that the player may see the position of the string as itappears during the solution of the problem and in the final puzzle as itappears in the solved position.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that I have provided a novelpuzzle which is solved by a unique swivel action and which is capable ofmany variants all contributing to the amusement of the player. It isalso seen that my puzzle is a single composite unit which is easilyportable for use in any desired location, yet which does not have anyloose pieces that may become lost. Similarly, it is seen that my puzzlemay be made of rugged construction which will have a comparatively longuseful life, yet which is easily fabricated from comparativelyinexpensive materials.

I claim:

'1. A block puzzle comprising a plurality of blocks all congruent witheach other and in the shape of a regular polyhedron, and holding meansfor rotatably holding a face of each block to a face of an adjoiningblock at the centers of said faces, said means extending into only oneface of two of said blocks and through two faces of the remainder of theblocks with at least some blocks having said means on adjacent faces,the faces of each block being unrelieved except for the faces havingsaid holding means extending therethrough, said holding means beingformed to retain all of the blocks in a single composite unit in amanner permitting orientation of all the blocks into a regularpolyhedron with only said unrelieved faces of said blocks exposed.

2. The block puzzle defined in claim 1, in which the blocks are cubicaland the number of blocks is the cube of a whole number from 2 to 5, saidholding means being disposed in such a way that the entire block puzzlelmay be formed into one composite cube.

3. The block puzzle defined in claim 2, in which the number of blocks is27.

4. A block puzzle comprising a plurality of blocks all congruent witheach other and in the shape of a regular polyhedron, and an elongatedelastic string-like element extending between two terminal blocks andpassing through the remainder of the blocks, said elastic stringlikeelement being of such a length that it normally holds all adjacentblocks together while leaving them free for relative rotation around thestring-like element as an axis, the faces of each block being unrelievedexcept for the faces having said elastic string-like element extendingtherethrough whereby all of the blocks may be oriented into a regularpolyhedron with only said unrelieved faces of said blocks exposed.

5. A block puzzle comprising a plurality of blocks all congruent witheach other and in the shape of a regular polyhedron, said blocks beingpresent in a number sufficient to form a three dimensional structurehaving all dimensions larger than those of each block, and an elongatedelastic string-like element extending between two terminal blocks andpassing through the remainder of the blocks, said elastic string-likeelement being of such a length that it normally holds all adjacentblocks together while leaving them free for relative rotation around thestring-like element as an axis, the faces of each block being unrelievedexcept for the faces having said elastic string-like element extendingtherethrough whereby all of the blocks may be oriented into a regularpolyhedron with only said unrelieved faces of said blocks exposed.

6. A block puzzle comprising a plurality of 'blocks all congruent witheach other and in the shape of a regular polyhedron, and an elongatedelastic string-like element extending between two terminal blocks andpassing through the remainder of the blocks for rotatably holding a faceof each block to a face of an adjacent block at the centers of saidfaces, said elastic string-like element being of such a length that itnormally holds all adjacent blocks together while leaving them free forrelative rotation around the string-like element as an axis, the facesof each block being unrelieved except for the faces having said elasticstring-like element extending therethrough whereby all of the blocks maybe oriented into a regular polyhedron with only said unrelieved faces ofsaid blocks exposed.

7. A block puzzle comprising a plurality of cubical blocks ofsubstantially the same size, and an elongated elastic string-likeelement extending between two terminal blocks and passing through theremainder of the blocks for rotatably holding a face of each block to aface of an adjacent block at the centers of said faces, said elasticstring-like clement extending into only one face of each of the twoterminal blocks and through two faces of the remainder of the blocks andbeing of such a length that it normally holds all adjacent blockstogether while leaving them free for relative rotation, the faces ofeach block being unrelieved except for the faces having said elasticstring-like element extending therethrough whereby all of the blocks maybe oriented into a regular polyhedron with only said unrelieved faces ofsaid blocks exposed.

8. The block puzzle defined in claim 7, in which the number of blocks isa cube of a whole number from 2 to 5, and the elastic string-likeelement is disposed through said blocks in such a way that the blocksmay be posi tioned into a single composite cube.

9'. The block puzzle defined in claim 8, in which the number of blocksis 27.

10. A block puzzle comprising 27 cubical blocks of substantially thesame size, and an elongated elastic stringlike element extendingbet-ween two terminal blocks of said 27 blocks and passing through theremaining 25 of said 27 blocks, said elastic string-like elementextending through certain of said blocks so as to pass through thecenters of opposite faces thereof and extending through certain other ofsaid blocks. so as to pass through the centers of adjacent faces thereofwith the entire path being designed so that the blocks may the rotatedinto a single position representing a single composite cube, the facesof each block being unrelieved except for the faces having saidelongated elastic string-like element passing through the centersthereof whereby only said unrelieved faces of said block will be exposedwhen said blocks are rotated into said single position representing asingle composite cube.

11. The block puzzle defined in claim 10, in which the cubes are made ofdifierent colors so as to provide a predetermined regular pattern ofcolors in the exposed faces of the composite cube and assist the playerin so1ving the puzzle.

12. The block puzzle defined in claim 10, in which the blocks arecomposed of a transparent plastic material and the string-like elementis prominently colored so that the player may observe the position ofthe string-like element and thereby receive assistance in solving thepuzzle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 956,632 5/1910Finch 4626 2,513,596 7/1950 Severson et al. 273160 X 2,617,654 11/1952Nolan et al. 273-156 2,825,178 3/1958 Hawkins 46-26 x 20 3,069,80512/1962 Burrows 46--26 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

4. A BLOCK PUZZLE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF BLOCKS ALL CONGRUENT WITHEACH OTHER AND IN THE SHAPE OF A REGULAR POLYHEDRON, AND AN ELONGATEDELASTIC STRING-LIKE ELEMENT EXTENDING BETWEEN TWO TERMINAL BLOCKS ANDPASSING THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE BLOCKS, SAID ELASTIC STRINGLIKEELEMENT BEING OF SUCH A LENGTH THAT IT NORMALLY HOLDS ALL ADJACENTBLOCKS TOGETHER WHILE LEAVING THEM FREE FOR RELATIVE ROTATION AROUND THESTRING-LIKE ELEMENT AS AN AXIS, THE FACES OF EACH BLOCKS BEINGUNRELIEVED EXCEPT FOR THE FACES HAVING SAID ELASTIC STRING-LIKE ELEMENTEXTENDING THERETHROUGH WHEREBY ALL OF THE BLOCKS MAY BE ORIENTED INTO AREGULAR POLYHEDRON WITH ONLY SAID UNRELIEVED FACES OF SAID BLOCKSEXPOSED.